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The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the league phase of the European competition with a comfortable win against their Hungarian visitors at the home stadium.

Forest had already secured a place in the knockout round play-offs and went into this fixture with a slim possibility of making the league's elite, although they required other matches to go their way.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the home-and-away tie to reach the round of sixteen.

Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the post with a header inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was dominantly the home side from then on.

Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus firing an effort in at the back post for his 10th goal of the season.

Jesus' 11th came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to escape the backline and then place a shot beyond the shot-stopper.

That goal ended Ferencvaros' aspirations of making a comeback and instead the hosts added a fourth when the excellent McAtee scored from a penalty after a infringement by the hapless Otvos inside the penalty area on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or the Greek club.

"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the whole squad," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

"That was another stride forward, but it is a good one."

Team Breakdown: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Watches On

Jesus has been a revelation for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.

This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be providing motivation.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the directors' box.

That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was outstanding against the opposition, producing two excellent finishes and overall being a menace to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.

The forward was not alone in catching the eye, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Forest jersey since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also impressed.

These encouraging performances will give the club some fresh hope as they switch focus to pulling further away from the bottom three when they host their London rivals on the weekend.

"The minimum requirement is a response," continued the manager.

"I've never questioned their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.

"James was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."

Player of the Match

Forest Key Performers

• #19: Rating 9.1
• #24: Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
• #31: Rating 7.9

The Visitors Ratings

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
• #66: Average Rating 4.12
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.1